Haeger Potteries archive heads to auction Feb. 24

CHICAGO — When Haeger Potteries and Pottery Museum closed their doors in the summer of 2016, lifelong customers, local pottery collectors and Chicago history buffs rushed to buy one last time from the 145-year-old institution. On February 24, the public will have a final opportunity to buy from Haeger Potteries and the Pottery Museum collection and access archived treasures previously unavailable.

Leslie Hindman Auctioneers will present the selection of Haeger Pottery at the firm’s Chicago salesroom. In addition to in-person bidding, absentee and telephone bids will be accepted, and internet bidding will be available at www.LeslieHindman.com.

Haeger was founded in 1871 by David H. Haeger as the Dundee Brick Company, establishing strong roots in Chicago after manufacturing bricks that would help rebuild the city after the Chicago Fire. In the 1900s leadership of the growing company was passed to David Haeger’s son, Edmund, who propelled the company forward by manufacturing glaze and formalizing a pottery company. Edmund Haeger put the art of pottery making on display at the 1934 Chicago World’s Fair, which secured national and international attention for the company.

One of the earliest works to be offered in the Haeger Potteries auction includes a Haeger Pottery vase marked 1914, which is listed as one of the earliest examples in the collection. It has a presale estimate of $150 to $250.

By 1938 the third generation of the Haeger family continued the company’s legacy by appointing Edmund’s son-in-law to General Manager.

Joseph F. Estes developed Royal Haeger, a highly successful line of pottery. In the late

1970s, his daughter Alexandra Haeger Estes became president, and served in that role until the company closed in 2016.

The artists working at Haeger pottery have an equally rich history. Royal Hickman, of Royal Haeger, joined the business as its chief designer in 1938. With a fluid Art Deco style, Royal Haeger expanded into accessories including the production of lamps. One example of a lamp style produce during this era is the Parrot Lamp base, which will be offered in the auction with a presale estimate of $100 to $200.

Royal Haeger is perhaps best known for its black panther figure. Several will be offered with estimates ranging between $150 and $400.

During a similar period, Joseph F. Estes also hired Sebastiano Maglio after witnessing a display of the artist’s techniques at an exhibition in Chicago. Examples of Maglio works to be offered include a collection of five vases ($200-$400), and the monumental Haeger Pottery vase ($6,000-$8,000), which previously held the record for the world’s largest vase.

Eric Olsen held the position of chief designer for more than 25 years, from 1947-1972. Olsen contributed to the Royal Haeger line of pottery and was famed for his creation of a dramatic bull figure, originally produced in 1955. One such example will be offered with a presale estimate of $150 to $250.

Visit www.lesliehindman.com for more information.